[Ohio-talk] some thoughts and humor

Tue Nov 24 15:37:29 UTC 2015

Sherry, my email is marianne at denningweb.com.  Please send me an email
off list and I will give you my home address. I also have a question I
would like to ask off list.

On 11/24/15, Sherry Ruth via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Marianne, sorry to request your address on this list, but my address
> book
> has been lost due to my last computer crashing.  Thank you, Sherry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne
> Denning via Ohio-talk
> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 1:44 PM
> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
> Cc: Marianne Denning
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] some thoughts and humor
>
> Thanks.
>
> On 11/23/15, Robert Spangler via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> That would be great!  Also, I do agree with Barbara that it would be a
>> great outline for creating a speech to a class or other gathering about
> blindness.
>>  It could be both informative and humorous!
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Abby Bolling via Ohio-talk
>> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 12:34 PM
>> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
>> <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Abby Bolling <violingirl30794 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] some thoughts and humor
>>
>> that would be absolutely amazing! and hellarious! I wonder if he would?
>>
>> On 11/23/2015 11:50 AM, Sheri Albers via Ohio-talk wrote:
>>> Marianne,
>>> This is priceless! I'll bet President Riccobono could use this in his
>>> banquet speech at the next national convention! Just say'in!
>>> Sheri Albers
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> Marianne Denning via Ohio-talk
>>> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2015 8:59 PM
>>> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
>>> Cc: Marianne Denning
>>> Subject: [Ohio-talk] some thoughts and humor
>>>
>>> I am back home after attending the NFB state convention.  I have to
>>> say this was one of the most productive, active and interesting state
>>> conventions I have attended.  We do have our work cut out for us and
>>> I am anxious to get started.  I also read this information and
>>> thought I would post it here.  For those who were at the convention,
>>> look
> at number 5.
>>>
>>> 17 Easy Ways To Make A Blind Person's Day
>>>
>>> 1. When introducing yourself, use loud, exaggerated speech. Since
>>> we're blind, it's safe to assume we're a little dim, too.
>>> 2. Don't speak directly to us. It's always best to talk over our
>>> heads like we're not there at all, especially if you are offering a
> service.
>>> Example:
>>> "What would she like to order?" Be sure to ignore our attempts to
>>> answer for ourselves.
>>> 3. Grab or otherwise manipulate our bodies whenever and wherever you
>>> deem necessary. For example, if you intuitively perceive that we're
>>> going the wrong way (even if you haven't asked where that is) just
>>> snatch the nearest limb and lead on, Macduff!
>>> 4. If you aren't in a position to grab us, you can always shout
>>> instructions in the hope that we'll know what you're talking about.
>>> If we look baffled, just keep repeating the instructions in an
>>> increasingly frantic tone.
>>> We'll clue in eventually.
>>> 5. Remind us often how grateful we should be that people are willing
>>> to provide accommodations for us. While it's unlikely that we will
>>> ever, ever forget this for more than five minutes at a time, it's a
>>> good idea to slam the thought home when we're not expecting it. It
>>> builds
> character.
>>> 6. Stage loud conversations about us while we're in the room, because
>>> we won't hear. If we hear, it's okay, because we won't understand. If
>>> we understand, it's okay, because we won't care.
>>> 7. Keep all conversation firmly focused on blindness. If we try to
>>> interject by discussing our education or interests, just redirect us.
>>> We get carried
>>> away trying to be all normal, so it's helpful to keep us on track!
>>> 8. Be sure to describe all the other blind people you've ever met, in
>>> extravagant detail. We couldn't be more fascinated by that blind guy
>>> who skied, and that other blind guy who went to school with you, and
>>> that blind girl you met on the train once-the one with the cute
>>> puppy. 9. Make a habit of asking us why we're "here". If we're on the
>>> bus, ask us why we're out alone. If we're at work, ask us how we got
>>> the job. If we're in class, ask us why we're in university. If we seem
> offended, ignore us:
>>> deep down inside, we really enjoy presumptuous interrogation!
>>> 10. Dispense advice about how we should live our lives; the less you
>>> know us, the more valuable your feedback will be. If you need a good
>>> starting point, you can begin by analyzing our mobility tool of
>>> choice (cane or
>>> dog) and emphatically demanding that we switch. We love that.
>>> 11. Involve yourself in our love lives, specifying exactly the type
>>> of person we should date and why. If you think we should date a
>>> sighted person because they'll be able to take care of us, we'll want
>>> to hear all about it.
>>> If you think we should date a blind person because we should "stick
>>> to our own kind"
>>> we will be all ears!
>>> 12. Give us things-money, coupons, whatever-because you pity us and
>>> want to make our day better. Don't be phased by any apparent
>>> expressions of confusion.
>>> ("Oh, that's just my gratitude face!") 13. Stop us on the street and
>>> thank whomever we're with for helping/taking care of/being so kind to
>>> us.
>>> It's not as though we have real friends who genuinely enjoy our company.
>>> No: if we're out with a sighted person, they are fulfilling a purely
>>> charitable role. They will appreciate your praise, and we will feel
>>> extra extra grateful!
>>> 14. Place your hands on us in any public place and pray. If we gently
>>> explain that we don't want to be prayed for, rest assured that it's
>>> just the secular cynicism doing the talking. When our sight is
>>> miraculously restored, you'll be the first to know.
>>> 15. Make as many potentially dangerous practical jokes as you can
>>> think of. A few good ideas include warning us of imaginary obstacles
>>> ("Watch out for that tree-just kidding!"), concealing our
>>> possessions, and encouraging us to "find" you while you run gleefully
>>> around us in circles. These were a staple of primary school, and I
>>> treasure many pleasant memories from that era. Do me a favour, and bring
> back the nostalgia!
>>> 16. Refer to us as "that blind person" even after you know our names.
>>> Blindness is so integral to our identities that our names are really
>>> just decorative, so there's no need to remember or use them. If we
>>> fail to answer to "Hey, blind girl/guy!" just keep trying. We'll learn
>>> to
> love it.
>>> 17. Assume that our default status is "Help!" If we reassure you that
>>> we're okay, thanks, don't fall for it. Insisting upon rescuing us
>>> every time we cross paths places us into a position of dependence,
>>> which is exactly where we belong.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
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>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
>
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053